Chapter 20Commonalities and differences FRG vs GDR: Education

Does objective education exist?  Where do we draw the line between normative education, thought to raise responsible citizens and indoctrination?  What did educational systems look like in divided Germany? What were students in schools taught about the other side of the border? Education was free of charge in both, West and East Germany, though equal access to education was complicated in East Germany, with scores of people not allowed to purse the path to their dream careers. How did Reunification affect the educational system and why does global access to education remain a privilege that only a few can afford?

1. DOES EVERYONE HAVE A RIGHT TO EDUCATION?
Both German states were in a constant contest during the Cold War about the future and educating the youth was of utmost importance. 

2. EDUCATIONAL DIFFERENCES
What were the main differences between the education system in East and West Germany? 

3. EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM IN EAST GERMANY
What did the education system look like in East Germany? 

4. SCHOOL TEACHINGS ABOUT LIFE IN EAST GERMANY
Natalie Bormann, PhD, discusses what she was taught in school in West Germany about life in East Germany. 

5. SCHOOL TEACHINGS ABOUT LIFE IN WEST GERMANY
Diana Erinna discusses what she was taught in school in East Germany about West Germany and German history. 
 
6. TEACHING ABOUT THE OTHER SIDE
What were you taught in school about German history and how was that different from what was taught in West Germany?

7. TEACHING ABOUT GERMAN HISTORY
What were you taught about German history in East Germany compared to West Germany?

8. THE POLITICS OF EDUCATION
Footage from Open Memory box, a 415 hours home movie project that features video recordings of GDR citizens. 

9. FRAU LAUTERBACH'S STORY
While Herr and Frau Lauterbach were able to use education to advance in their own ambitions, access to higher education in the GDR was not always merit-based, as they found out for their daughter. Frau Lauterbach tells her story.   

10. HERR LAUTERBACH'S STORY
While Herr and Frau Lauterbach were able to use education to advance in their own ambitions, access to higher education in the GDR was not always merit-based, as they found out for their daughter. Herr Lauterbach tells his story. 

11. HOW DID REUNIFICATION AFFECT THE GERMAN EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM?
Davig Gill, Consul General at the German Consulate in NY discusses how reunification affected the German education system and how the current German educational system is structured. 

12. GLOBAL STUDENT VOICE: SONJA, RUSSIA
Sonja Sysranova is from Russia and a student at a PASCH- school, a global network of schools with stellar German programs. In this video, she discusses the Russian public education system and what that means for future careers. In German with English subtitles.

In the PDF you can find answers from Dr. Ingrid Miethe to questions about education. Dr. Miethe grew up in the GDR.

PARTNERS
Bundesstiftung Aufarbeitung der SED-Diktatur (Federal Foundation for the Reappraisal of the SED Dictatorship), German Consulate General New York, German American Partnership Program (GAPP), American Association of Teachers of German (AATG), Transatlantic Outreach Program (TOP) and Spark for German.